Does the media care about ratings?
Sources:
Yes, the media does care deeply about ratings. Here are several insights from experts on the matter:
-
Joe Rogan emphasized that the primary concern for media outlets is securing high ratings. This often leads them to prioritize sensational and outrage-inducing content to attract more viewers. He notes that this strategy isn't about addressing important issues but rather about survival and audience retention 1.
-
Ben Shapiro also highlighted the media's focus on ratings during political events. For example, he discussed how CNN's and MSNBC's ratings spiked during the Trump administration but dropped significantly after Joe Biden took office. He explains that media outlets maintain or increase ratings by creating and amplifying controversies, often positioning certain figures as villains to polarize the audience 2.
-
Jim Poole from the Modern Wisdom podcast elaborated on how media companies leverage fear to drive higher ratings. Fear-based content triggers stronger emotional responses, ensuring viewers remain engaged. This approach is favored because it's more effective than content that elicits positive emotions, which took longer to produce similar engagement levels 3.
These insights illustrate that ratings are indeed a crucial focus for the media, influencing content choices and narrative framing significantly.
RELATED QUESTIONS-